Government consults on strengthening employment rights for unpaid carers and parents of seriously ill children

The government has this week launched a consultation on strengthening employment rights for unpaid carers and parents of seriously ill children.

The proposals build on the Carer’s Leave Act 2023 and asks whether current entitlements (five days’ unpaid carer’s leave per year) are sufficient, and what further measures might help unpaid carers stay in or return to work.

On it’s website, the Government statesthat they are seeking views on:

• the information and guidance that is available to support unpaid carers
• the potential need for further support
• what forms of support would be helpful for both unpaid carers and parents with a seriously ill child

The consultation, launched by the Minister for Employment Rights Kate Dearden, sets out several proposals that could significantly change the rights of those with caring responsibilities in the workplace. These include introducing paid carer’s leave for the first time, a new “right to return” to work after a period of intensive caring – similar to existing maternity leave protections – and new guidance to help workers and employers better understand carers’ workplace protections.

The consultation explores three main options for reform:

• Extended unpaid leave – potentially increasing the current five-day entitlement.
• A “right to return” – a new statutory entitlement modelled on maternity leave, protecting an employee’s role during a longer absence.
• Paid carer’s leave – a short period of paid leave, with the government seeking views on duration and rate of pay.

The consultation is part of the review of employment rights for unpaid carers. As part of that review the government are also publishing a research report they commissioned from the independent research agency Verian. This is based on interviews with 50 unpaid carers and explores the experiences of unpaid carers balancing work and their caring responsibilities.

In it’s introduction to the consultation, the government say:

“Anyone can respond to this consultation, and we particularly welcome views from those with lived experience of caring responsibilities, businesses, those with experience in supporting unpaid carers in the workplace, and those with expertise in unpaid care.”

Minister for Employment Rights Kate Dearden said:

Whether you’re caring for an elderly parent, a partner with a long-term illness, or a child fighting a serious disease, you shouldn’t have to choose between your job and those you love.

These proposed reforms are about making sure the world of work reflects the reality of people’s lives.

It was excellent to hear from so many hard-working campaigners and caring employers about their experiences at Carers UK’s event and I look forward to working together to create the clear framework needed to attract, support and retain the talented people who look after the loved ones around them.

The government is also seeking views on what has become known as Hugh’s Law — named in memory of Hugh Menai-Davis, who died aged six from cancer in 2021. His family, alongside their charity It’s Never You, have campaigned for paid leave and financial support for parents in the immediate and prolonged aftermath of a child’s serious diagnosis.

Joanne Thomas – Usdaw general secretary said:

Usdaw has long campaigned for the right to paid leave for parents and carers, alongside many organisations and individuals, so we very much welcome the Government progressing to a consultation. Being an unpaid carer or a parent of a seriously ill child can be emotionally devastating and extremely difficult for working people to juggle their work and home life. Usdaw will be responding to the consultation, emphasising the need for fully paid time-off to help ensure that all workers can access the right, particularly those on the lowest incomes.

The vast majority of care in the UK is provided by family and friends. All too often, carers feel life is a pressure cooker of competing demands, with worries about money, time off work, their own health and that of the person they are caring for. With more people than ever providing care, we welcome the Government continuing to improve working parents’ and carers’ rights. They make a huge contribution to our society, communities and families; their efforts must be properly recognised, rewarded and supported.

The consultation closes at 11:59pm on 1 September 2026. You can read the detail here and respond to the consultation here.